Tempestarii

What it is

The tempestarii were individuals in medieval rural communities believed to possess the power to summon or stop storms. They lived among ordinary people but held a unique status that inspired both reverence and terror. Villagers would pay these weather-makers to protect their crops from hail and lightning. However, this relationship was fragile; if a storm struck despite the tempestarius's efforts, the community might turn on them with violence or death, viewing them as failed protectors or agents of evil.

Where it comes from

The concept is well-documented by Agobard, Bishop of Lyon, in his 815 AD work On Hail and Thunder. He described a local belief system where villagers attributed natural weather events to human agency rather than divine will. Agobard argued against this superstition, insisting that only God or saints could control the elements. The text also mentions a related myth of the Magonians, a mythical race said to dwell in clouds and steal crops during storms summoned by tempestarii.

How it is done

Rural communities sought out tempestarii to intervene during weather crises. The practice involved paying these individuals for insurance against storms. Conversely, when storms occurred, villagers believed they could curse the tongue of the person who raised the gale. In some cases, such as after the North Berwick trials, accusations led to the imprisonment of alleged storm-raisers, requiring intervention by church authorities to prevent lynching.

Tools and materials

The Catholic Church prescribed specific remedies against the perceived influence of tempestarii. These included prayer, sacraments, and the ringing of church bells to drive away storm devils. Charms made from flowers consecrated on Palm Sunday were placed in crop fields. Believers held that these charms would protect the owner's land even if surrounding areas were destroyed by the storm.

What it is for

The primary intent of engaging with tempestarii was protection of livelihoods. Farmers sought to shield their harvests from destructive hail and wind. The belief system also served to explain unpredictable natural disasters. When storms caused damage, the community needed a cause, often blaming either a failed protective ritual or malicious witchcraft, particularly during periods like the witch hunts of the sixteenth century.

Who does it

Tempestarii were typically members of the peasant class who gained a reputation for weather control. Their status was precarious, balancing between being essential service providers and potential scapegoats. Accusations often arose during times of high stress, such as poor harvests. The figure evolved into the broader category of witches accused of raising storms, as seen in the North Berwick Witch Trials where John Fian was accused of attempting to drown royalty.

Peoples and places

The belief was prominent in Frankish and broader medieval European contexts. Agobard specifically addressed the Franks in Lyon. The belief spread and intensified during the early modern period, notably in Scotland during the North Berwick trials. Similar beliefs about weather magicians appeared globally, with ancient traditions attributing rain-making to shamans and sorcerers, but the tempestarii represent a specific European Christian-era phenomenon.

What people believe

The worldview behind tempestarii rejected the idea that weather was solely under God's control. Villagers believed humans could mimic biblical miracles, such as Moses raising his staff to send plagues. Agobard countered that only the righteous servants of God could perform such acts, not witches. The belief also incorporated the myth of Magonia, a land of thieves whose inhabitants sailed the skies to steal corn during storms, paying local tempestarii to create the necessary weather conditions.

When it is done

Interactions with tempestarii occurred during weather crises, particularly when storms threatened crops. Specific rituals were tied to the liturgical calendar, such as using flowers consecrated on Palm Sunday. The belief persisted through the medieval period and flared up during major witch hunt episodes, such as the late sixteenth century, when political tensions heightened fears of magical attacks on the state.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Modern historians view the tempestarii as a case study in the intersection of folk belief and ecclesiastical authority. Agobard's writings are analyzed as an attempt to correct popular misconceptions about divine power and witchcraft. Scholars note that the fear of tempestarii reflects the economic vulnerability of agrarian societies. The transition from individual weather-makers to organized coven witches marks a shift in how the church and state conceptualized magical harm.

Compare and confuse

The tempestarii are related to the Solomonari of Slavic tradition, who are also known for weather magic. Both figures represent the archetype of the weather-maker. The concept differs from general witchcraft in its specific focus on atmospheric control. In literature, Shakespeare's Prospero in The Tempest echoes the theme of a magician controlling storms, though presented as a theatrical illusion rather than a folk belief.

Questions people ask about Tempestarii

Good reading and sources

• Tempestarii on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data